Genya Arikado/Dawn of Sorrow

In Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow, Genya Arikado makes his appearances as before in Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow. He meets Soma and attempts to protect him from Celia Fortner, the leader of the cult devoted to recreating the Dark Lord. After Soma defeats the monsters that Celia summoned using the Knife that Arikado throws to him and after absorbing their souls, he wonders why his "power of dominance" has returned. Arikado reveals that he has always had that power, it was just that he never had a need for it after he left Dracula's castle. After their discussion, Arikado tells Soma that he and his associates will handle Celia and asks him not to get involved.

Their next meeting is in the Demon Guest House, where Arikado angrily berates Soma for involving himself in this affair. However, he agrees to Soma's continued participation because he has already entered the castle. He asks Soma about what he has encountered so far and Soma reveals Celia's plan to slay him and replace him using the Dark Lord's candidates, Dmitrii Blinov and Dario Bossi. Arikado reveals his intention to look into the matter further and also gives Soma a letter from Mina, which contains a talisman that will protect Soma from evil energy. He then departs, in search of Celia.

When Soma first enters the Cursed Clock Tower, he runs in along with Julius Belmont to find Celia waiting for them. Celia reveals that she has fused a flame demon to Dario's soul that has drastically increased his powers. Afterwards, Celia teleports away and Arikado tells Julius to pursue Dario while he will hunt for Celia.

At one of the game's critical junctions, Arikado runs into the Garden of Madness to stop Soma from transforming into the Dark Lord after Celia killed "Mina". Due to the fact that Soma was wearing Mina's Talisman, he was able to break the transformation, much to Celia's chagrin. However, a black soul flew from Soma into the Doppelganger that was posing as the "Mina" that Celia slew. That Doppelganger became Dmitrii, who had been believed to been slain by Soma earlier in the game. Arikado realizes that Dmitrii has copied Soma's power of dominance, and it is the key to becoming the Dark Lord. As Arikado moves forward to confront Dmitrii, however, Dmitrii reveals that he knows Arikado's true identity as Alucard, son of Dracula (although he does not explicitly reveal this fact), and that he will kill Soma if Arikado comes forward. Dmitrii and Celia teleport away and Arikado reveals to Soma that there is a gateway to the origin of the dark energy the castle has been accessing: The Abyss underneath the castle, and this is where Dmitrii and Celia have fled.

However, in order to gain access to The Abyss, Arikado is forced to enlist the talents of Julius Belmont, who shatters the barrier dividing that area from the rest of the castle. Julius is reluctant to do so because it will drain his power and leave him unable to fight but Arikado says his power is the only way the barrier can be broken. As the barrier is broken, Arikado falls into the passageway and renews his pursuit of Dmitrii and Celia.

Arikado is standing with Dmitrii in the final, massive room of The Abyss, apparently drained. He reveals to Soma that Dmitrii's sacrifice of Celia created a reversal of his powers and canceled his attempts to assault Dmitrii. As Dmitrii prepares for the showdown of his power of dominance against Soma's, he becomes engulfed in dark energy, and Arikado realizes that since Dmitrii's soul is weaker than Soma's, he cannot retain full dominance of the souls of the monsters he gained dominance over. In his anger, Dmitrii blasts Arikado away with a spell before the creatures escape his body and converge to form the gargantuan Menace, who is Soma's final opponent.

Mina Hakuba: Ha ha! Are you serious?Soma Cruz: Yeah, and that's when Hammer decided to--Mina Hakuba: Wait... Soma, can I ask you something?Soma Cruz: Yeah, of course, Mina. What's wrong?Mina Hakuba: It's been a year since it all happened, hasn't it?Soma Cruz: Yeah, just about.Mina Hakuba: And what was it called? You know, the ability to use the power of monsters?Soma Cruz: You mean the power of dominance? I lost it when we escaped Dracula's Castle, remember?Mina Hakuba: I know, but... It's just that I get this terrible feeling inside...Soma Cruz: It's probably nothing... Look, don't worry, okay? This past year, I haven't been able to use any of the powers I gained. And--
(Suddenly someone shows up out of nowhere. Mina hides behind Soma)???: You... You're Soma Cruz, aren't you?Soma Cruz: Uh... Yeah... And you are????: You may call me Celia.
(Celia points at Soma)Celia Fortner: But not for long... Come forth, my servants!
(Celia summons a Skeleton. Mina screams from behind)Soma Cruz: What?! Mina, get back!
(Mina steps back)Soma Cruz: Damn it! Of all the worst--???: Soma! You back off, too!
(Arikado shows up)Mina Hakuba: Mr. Arikado!Celia Fortner: Genya Arikado, the guardian?! Hmph! You shall not interfere!
(Celia casts a barrier)Genya Arikado: A barrier! Quick, Soma! Use this!
(Arikado throws a knife to Soma for him to use. Then the fight begins. Soma defeats three enemies and gained dominance over their souls)Celia Fortner: Soma Cruz, I shall see your demise. That is certain. Using whatever means...
(Celia vanishes in seconds)Soma Cruz: Wait!Genya Arikado: Save your energy. You won't catch her now.Soma Cruz: Damn it!Mina Hakuba: Soma, are you all right?Soma Cruz: Yeah, I'm fine. But that power... It returned! Arikado, what's going on?Genya Arikado: The power didn't "return." It was always with you. You just never had a need for it since you fled the castle. And that set free all the souls that you had gained dominance over.Soma Cruz: You mean I couldn't use the power because I was never in any
danger? Hmm. Anyway, who was that woman? She seemed to know you.Genya Arikado: Celia Fortner. She's the priestess of a new and rapidly growing cult. We suspected she was up to something, so we've been keeping tabs on her.Mina Hakuba: But why would someone like that come after Soma?Genya Arikado: They want to resurrect the lord of darkness. Like some sought to do with Dracula.Soma Cruz: I guess they don't like the fact that I didn't become the "lord of
darkness."Genya Arikado: Not only that, they intend to create a new lord by eliminating
you.Mina Hakuba: E-Eliminating?Genya Arikado: But Soma, you don't need to get any more involved with this.
Let us deal with it.
(Arikado leaves)Soma Cruz: That woman... She said she would "see my demise."

Genya Arikado: Soma!
(Soma turns round)Soma Cruz: ??Genya Arikado: I told you not to get involved, didn't I?Soma Cruz: Arikado! What are you doing here? I thought that you were protecting Mina...Genya Arikado: Mina is fine. My colleagues are providing protection. Besides, keeping you under observation gets priority.Soma Cruz: You're still treating me as if I were the dark lord. Haven't you seen enough?Genya Arikado: I need you to understand. You are considered to be extremely dangerous...Soma Cruz: ...Genya Arikado: But since you're here, I suppose I can't stop you. While under my supervision, I'm prepared to overlook use of excessive force. Besides, we can't just allow this cult to carry on this way.Soma Cruz: Th-Thanks. I appreciate it.Genya Arikado: Also, Mina entrusted me with this. It's for you.
(Arikado hands Soma Mina's Talisman)Soma Cruz: What? A letter? And a talisman?
(Soma turns round to read the letter in private)Mina Hakuba: Dear Soma, If you're reading this, you've probably gone after that cult. I had a feeling you would when you disappeared after that incident. I know that you worry about me, Soma. But I worry just as much about you, too. I won't ask you to come back right away because you're way too stubborn. But please promise me that whatever happens, you'll come back unharmed. Oh, and don't forget about the talisman! I'm sure it'll come in handy. I'll be praying for you. Always, MinaSoma Cruz: Mina...Genya Arikado: Soma.Soma Cruz: !!
(Soma turns back towards Arikado)Genya Arikado: Brief me on the situation. What have you discovered?Soma Cruz: Uh... Sure. (I described what I had learned so far to Arikado.)Genya Arikado: Understood. But the fact that Celia mentioned a "plan" doesn't sound good.Soma Cruz: The only thing I can do is keep climbing towards the top floor.Genya Arikado: Fine, you do that. In the meantime, I'll try to track down Dario's whereabouts.

Soma Cruz: ?!Celia Fortner: You've only come this far? You seem to be taking this rather leisurely.Soma Cruz: What are you trying to say?Celia Fortner: Dario has grown stronger by fusing with the demon of fire I summoned for him.
(Arikado appears)Genya Arikado: I see. Is that your plan?Julius Belmont: Soma, back off.
(Julius appears in rush as well)Soma Cruz: Arikado! Julius, too!Celia Fortner: Your presence is without meaning. No one can stop Dario now. The emergence of the new lord of darkness is all but certain now.
(Celia vanishes before their eyes)Genya Arikado: Julius! I'm sensing a surge of magical power coming from the river. It must be Dario. You go after him. I'll track down Celia.
(Arikado leaves)Julius Belmont: Soma, from here on, you stay away and let us take care of it.

Soma Cruz: I cut off the power from the dark side using a Magic Seal. Give up. It's over...Dario Bossi: B-But...Genya Arikado: Get away from him, Soma!
(Arikado shows up and Dario is beginning to explode with overwhelming power)Dario Bossi: Nooooooooooo!
(Dario dies)Genya Arikado: He couldn't resist the demon that had fused with his soul.Soma Cruz: You're saying he lost to the demon's power?Genya Arikado: He perhaps could have been saved if the demon was cut free from his soul, but... Don't let it concern you. That's just what happens when you let your hunger for power overwhelm you.Soma Cruz: ... Arikado... What became of Celia?Genya Arikado: I'm sorry... We have units tracking her whereabouts now.Soma Cruz: Hmm... So we're done here. Let's get out of here.

Soma Cruz: Ungh...Genya Arikado: What's wrong, Soma?
(Soma gets up)Soma Cruz: N-Nothing. I just felt something odd for a moment.Genya Arikado: Hmm... Did anything strange happen in the castle?Soma Cruz: No, nothing... Wait! Come to think of it, when I fought Dmitrii, there was something weird.Genya Arikado: Go on.Soma Cruz: I never finished him off. But he died anyway. And that's when I felt something enter me...like a soul under domination.Genya Arikado: ... We'll have to investigate. Come, we'll meet with Yoko right away and head for the Church.Soma Cruz: Is something happening to me?Genya Arikado: I don't know, but we'll know soon enough.

Julius Belmont: So... Soma has become the dark lord. I have no other choice... The battles of the past are to be waged once again...Genya Arikado: I had assumed that he would have equipped the talisman from Mina... It would have protected him. But alas, I will have to unleash my power...

Soma Cruz: Huh?! Mina!!
(Mina is crucified upon a tree just between Celia and Soma)Mina Hakuba: Soma!Celia Fortner: Soma Cruz. Behold, the last moments of your loved one's life.
(Celia is conjuring a spell pointing towards Mina)Soma Cruz: Wait! Stop!!
(Soma tries to stop Celia but he was too late. Celia pierces Mina with a beam of light)Mina Hakuba: S-Soma...
(Mina dies)Mina Hakuba: ...
(Soma is starting to lose himself)Soma Cruz: Mina!! You... You heartless wench...Celia Fortner: It certainly wasn't easy spiriting her away. Go ahead. Hate me. You hate me enough to wish death upon me, don't you?Soma Cruz: You... You'll pay for this...
(Dark souls are staring to gather round Soma and absorbing them)Celia Fortner: The power of chaos is gathering... I was right. Now hate me more. When your hatred peaks, the new dark lord shall emerge.Soma Cruz: If it means getting Mina's revenge, I'll do it. Make me the dark lord. Mina, forgive me... I can't honor your wish...Celia Fortner: It's coming... The birth of the new dark lord!Soma Cruz: AAAAAAAAAAGH!???: Soma! Don't be fooled!Soma Cruz: !!
(Arikado intervenes Soma's transformation)Genya Arikado: That Mina is a fake!Celia Fortner: Arikado! Why must you always get in the way?Genya Arikado: How clever of you to use a Doppelganger. Ah, but you haven't won just yet...
(The dark souls that dominates Soma suddenly wane)Soma Cruz: Uuuuugh!Genya Arikado: What?! What's wrong?
(The dark souls starts to get out of Soma's body and transfers to the body of fake Mina)Celia Fortner: D-Dmitrii...Dmitrii Blinov: I should thank my lucky stars for making good my escape. I managed to loosen myself when the boy's emotions shifted momentarily.Celia Fortner: I thought you'd died...Dmitrii Blinov: Shedding my former body was a desperate gamble. But it has worked out quite well.Genya Arikado: You copied the power of dominance from Soma?Dmitrii Blinov: Ah, so you understand. I touched the boy's soul and copied his ability. And I have been doubly lucky in finding a suitable replacement for my body.Celia Fortner: Y-You obtained the same power as Soma Cruz?Dmitrii Blinov: When I fought the boy, I confirmed one thing. Dracula's heir need not be the inheritor of the dark lord's power. I only need to possess the same ability to become the true dark lord's heir. And of course, only I could gain that ability.Genya Arikado: I won't allow that.Dmitrii Blinov: Have patience, Arikado. Or perhaps I should address you with your real name? When the boy began his dark transformation, I scanned memories of his past lives. Make one move, and the boy will die. You don't wish that, do you?Genya Arikado: Hmph.
(Soma gets up)Soma Cruz: Does becoming the dark lord really mean that much to you?Dmitrii Blinov: I have told you before. I wish to learn what my power signifies. Celia. I must gain dominance over more powerful demons. I will surpass the boy.Celia Fortner: So be it. Soma Cruz, I take back what I have said to you. It seems that death is your only destiny.
(Dmitrii and Celia vanish before their eyes)Soma Cruz: Arikado, where do you think they've gone?Genya Arikado: I imagine that they've gone to the basement of the tower next to the castle. A foul, unearthly energy emanates from there. There must be a portal to the dark side that fuels the castle's existence.Soma Cruz: I see...Genya Arikado: Don't do anything rash. You're not in any shape to fight now. Let us handle this.Soma Cruz: His power is mine. I must be the one to stop him.Genya Arikado: ... Fine... But Julius and I will go in first.

Julius Belmont: Break this barrier? It's definitely possible. But there's no guarantee that I'll have energy left to fight.Genya Arikado: Without your power, it's impossible for us to get through. They have to be stopped, at all costs.Julius Belmont: ... Well, I suppose this is an emergency... Fine. Stand back.
(Arikado stands back)Julius Belmont: Here goes.
(Julius unleashes the Grand Cross and breaks the barrier)Julius Belmont: YEAAAAAAH!!
(Julius is on his knees, weakened from performing such powerful feat)Julius Belmont: Ungh... The barrier... It's gone.Genya Arikado: I'm sorry...Julius Belmont: Go already! There's no time for chitchat.Genya Arikado: Right.
(Arikado enters)Julius Belmont: Soma? Growing old is a horrible thing.Soma Cruz: Just relax. Don't worry. We'll take it from here.Julius Belmont: All right. I'm counting on you. Don't let me down, kid.

Soma Cruz: !!Genya Arikado: Soma?Soma Cruz: What happened?!Dmitrii Blinov: He arrived too late, quite simply.Genya Arikado: He gained dominance over a calamitous demon. I tried to prevent the summoning ritual from happening, but...Dmitrii Blinov: Your dark power failed to overcome the power I gained from the sacrifice.Soma Cruz: Sacrifice?
(Celia is shown crucified above them)Soma Cruz: C-Celia!Dmitrii Blinov: Such an unseemly sight. Be gone.
(Dmitrii destroys the cross with Celia on it)Soma Cruz: You killed your own ally?Dmitrii Blinov: She had always dreamed of seeing the dark lord. She served me to the end in my becoming. She should feel honored. Not only that, she even helped me take care of that pesky Arikado.Soma Cruz: ?!Genya Arikado: He's right. His sacrifice reversed the flow of my dark power.Dmitrii Blinov: The stage is now set. We shall see whose power of dominance prevails...
(Dmitrii is losing himself as he was overcome by the power he absorbed earlier from the sacrifice)Soma Cruz: Wh-What?Dmitrii Blinov: Th-This cannot be... My dominance should be complete!Genya Arikado: So that's what's happening...Soma Cruz: Arikado, what's going on?Genya Arikado: The power of dominance isn't easily contained. He isn't like you. His soul can't withstand a power that intense.Dmitrii Blinov: Liar!! I've heard enough from you!
(Dmitrii casts Arikado out of the Abyss with a spell)Genya Arikado: Gwoh!Soma Cruz: Arikado!Dmitrii Blinov: I am the chosen one! I am the dark lord! I shall not succumb to the power! Wroooooooaaaah!
(Dmitrii becomes unstable)Soma Cruz: It's useless. You can't control it.Dmitrii Blinov: Gwroaaah!
(Dmitrii falls to the ground and transforms into a huge monster)
ARRRRGGHHHH!
(Menace appears)Soma Cruz: The demons under his dominance... They fused as one? Letting this out would be a disaster... It must end here!

Soma Cruz: I...
(An image of Menace is shown)Soma Cruz: I...
(An image of Mina also shown)Soma Cruz: Stop!
(The dark souls releases from Soma. Suddenly, the castle starts to crumble)Genya Arikado: What are you doing? This place won't hold. We have to get out.

Genya Arikado: It's finally over. We're finished here. Let's go.Soma Cruz: ...Genya Arikado: Soma, what's wrong?Soma Cruz: Tell me. Just what is the dark lord?Genya Arikado: What Celia told you wasn't necessarily wrong. The dark lord is the entity opposite to god.Soma Cruz: Then that means there will always be a need for a dark lord. All because I ducked out from becoming the next in line!Genya Arikado: Don't misconstrue me! Perhaps there is a need for the dark lord... But there is no reason at all for you to become the dark lord.Soma Cruz: But if it weren't for me, none of this would have happened!Genya Arikado: You're neither a god nor a demon. You're only human. You have no chance at ever achieving perfection. Or are you saying you want to be the dark lord?Soma Cruz: No... Of course not.Genya Arikado: Then stay true to that. Look.
(Yoko, Julius, and Hammer is shown not far from them)Genya Arikado: There are people waiting for you. Don't break their hearts.Soma Cruz: Everyone...Julius Belmont: You kept your promise.Yoko Belnades: Welcome back, Soma.Hammer: Looks like you're all done! Your face says it all.Soma Cruz: Arikado... You're right...
(Mina arrives)Soma Cruz: Mina! What are you doing here?
(Soma rushes toward Mina)Mina Hakuba: What do you mean? I was so worried...Soma Cruz: Oh, Mina, I'm sorry. Don't cry.Mina Hakuba: Gotcha! Welcome back, Soma.Julius Belmont: Poor Soma. She'll have you wrapped around her finger.Yoko Belnades: Oh, without a doubt.Hammer: I'd like to be wrapped around Yoko's finger...Soma Cruz: Wh-What are you saying? We're not like that!
(Yoko, Julius, and Hammer laugh)Mina Hakuba: Th-That's right!Julius Belmont: No need to be bashful, you two.Genya Arikado: If the world needs a dark lord, it will emerge. Even if it's not you, Soma...

Julius Belmont: Arikado? Or should it be Alucard?Alucard: That doesn't matter. I had to transform to draw out my full power.Julius Belmont: He's grown so powerful that you have to go that far?Alucard: Yes. Failure isn't an option. I need your help.